Paul goes on to say, Do nothing from selfish ambition.
By this he refers to the desire to be rewarded for the effort you make, that is, seeking honour (same as in Philippians 1:17). Also do nothing out of conceit, that is, the desire for ostentation and empty fame.
The second part of this verse is a positive exhortation: but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
The words modesty,
humble,
or humility
are used in the Old Testament for the attitude toward God. Here it is about the mutual relationship: how do you consider each other as brothers and sisters. Are you aligned? Paul emphasizes that it is still different: recognize that the other person is more important than you. The other person is someone you must serve. This has nothing to do with the gifts that the other person may have more than you, but only with the fact that he is your brother and she is your sister. How is this possible? Only by seeing the grace of Christ in your brother and sister. He is above us, though he became one of us.
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.